Mantoloking Bridge south to Normandy Beach shut down as a safety precaution

Nov. 29, 2012

Written by

Charles Webster

@cwebster4

BRICK — Emergency management officials will close down a section of the barrier island portion of the township on Monday to give New Jersey Natural Gas repair crews an opportunity to pressurize gas lines.

The portion of the barrier island from the Mantoloking Bridge south to the Normandy Beach section of Toms River will be closed as a safety precaution from December 3 through December 7 as NJNG pressurizes gas lines, beginning on Downer Avenue in Mantoloking and working south along Route 35, according to police Sgt. Keith Reinhard.

“Only limited emergency service personnel will be permitted on the barrier island during this time period, with enhanced fire and EMS personnel stationed strategically in case of an emergency,” Reinhard said.

“Although we recognize this to be a major inconvenience for homeowners and contractors, this is necessary and brings us one step closer to getting back to some sense of normalcy. This is also an essential measure needed in order to get gas services back to individual homes and more importantly getting residents back into their homes,” he said.

“If NJNG completes the process prior to December 7, and the area is deemed safe, the barrier island will be re-opened to the public without delay,” Reinhard added.